Creative Writing Workshop: Writing As A Spiritual Quest

In this weekend retreat, we will focus on writing about what really matters, exploring our spiritual well being by looking at the sacred, grace, and loss in our lives. We will focus on prayer, forgiveness and gratitude.

Leader: Gail Balden is a writer, educator, and workshop provider throughout the U.S. She is founder and director of Creative Journeys, a writing institute on the Oregon Coast. She has over 30 years of teaching experience and teaches spiritual writing workshops at the Center for Contemplative Arts in Manzanita, Oregon.

Call Guest Services at (608) 748-4411, ext. 811, for more information or to register or visit our Web site at www.sinsinawa.org.

Six Degrees of Reconciliation by Rev. Joseph Nassal, C.PP.S

In a world divided by religion, race, culture, creed and class, how do we arrive at a place of peace?  When our faith communities and families experience separation and estrangement, how do we find our common ground?  When friendships fail, how do we restore the relationship?  This retreat explores six themes essential to a ministry of reconciliation: recognition, recollection, honesty, hospitality, humility and hope.

To register, call Sister Phyllis Schenk, O.P., 217-787-0481, or e-mail, schenkop@spdom.org

Individually Directed Retreat by Sister Jeanne Moore, O.P.
Directed retreats are special opportunities for God’s loving Providence and our deepest desires to come into focus.  The retreatant will focus on discerning how God’s Spirit is moving during prayer, but also throughout the day and even during sleeping.


To register, call Sister Phyllis Schenk, O.P., 217-787-0481, or e-mail, schenkop@spdom.org

The Theology and Spirituality of Catherine of Siena #086-025
The theology and spirituality of Catherine of Siena (1348-1380, lay Dominican mystic, activist, and Doctor of the Church, are an inseparable whole, the heart and integration of her life.  We will explore these thematically in the context of her life and out of her writings: her Letters, Dialogue, and Prayers. Class credit is available through Aquinas College. Room and board available for 5 nights at $200.00 per person.

Presenter:  Suzanne Noffke, OP
Renee C. Daniels Administrative Coordinator
Dominican Center at Marywood, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
616-643-0162 for more information contact: rdaniels@dominicancenter.com

Artists’ Contemplative Retreat
June 6 – 13, 2008
Mariandale Retreat and Conference Center
Ossining, NY

Artists’ Contemplative Retreat
This retreat is for serious artists who express their own creativity in painting, drawing, sculpture, poetry, writing or music.  Throughout these days together in a spirit of contemplation and prayer, each artist is invited to listen and respond to God’s inner call.  The natural beauty and serenity of Mariandale encourages participants to pursue their own artistic endeavors and to share their work with other artist retreatants.

Coordinator:  Lorraine Ferguson, OP
Fee:  $400; Fee for Members and Associate Members of the Dominican Order:  $300   www.mariandale.org; 914-941-4455

Catherine of Siena Play
June 5, 2008 – 7:00 pm

Dominican Center at Marywood

Preached Retreat: Thomas Merton Uncensored
Thomas Merton wrote some of his most profound and provocative thoughts in the voluminous letters. There, without censorship, he could say what he was really thinking as his life and that of his correspondents unfolded. This retreat explores many salient themes as he developed them chronologically. One can savor Merton’s spiritual life unfolding as ours unfolds as well. It involves readings from these letters, conferences, discussions and some experiences of music and film.

Leader: Fr. Patrick Collins was born in Peoria, IL and converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1954. He was ordained to ministerial priesthood for the Diocese of Peoria in May of 1964. From 1993 to present, he has served as a priest with the Archdiocese of Chicago teaching, writing, and preaching retreats and parish missions.j

Call Guest Services at (608) 748-4411, ext. 811, for more information or to register or visit our Web site at www.sinsinawa.org.

Join with Rev. Seán Charles Martin as he examines the enduring appeal of the Psalms, and how they can continue to voice the deepest longings of the human heart for God. READ MORE

Preached Retreat
June 20-26, 2008
Dominican Retreat and Conference Center
Niskayuna, NY

Silent, Directed Retreat: “If Today You Hear God’s Voice ... “
Come listen to the voice of God speaking to your heart as you journey on this silent, directed retreat for women.  In the beautiful surroundings of the Mound, you will be guided by a team of vowed religious women with a depth of experience in spiritual direction and retreats.

Leaders: Ellie Hoffman, OP; Alita Lisbeth, OP; Mary Owen Haggerty, OP; Ann Henkel, OP; and Maureen McDonnell, OP.

Call Guest Services at (608) 748-4411, ext. 811, for more information or to register or visit our Web site at www.sinsinawa.org.

Guided Retreat:  Jesus and Women
June 29 – July 6, 2008
Mariandale Retreat and Conference Center
Ossining, NY

Guided Retreat:  Jesus and Women
Jesus came for all people; but he himself makes it clear that he came especially for the poor, the oppressed, the powerless.  And because women constitute the majority in all these groups, Jesus’ relationship with women was a constitutive element in his proclamation and inauguration of God’s kin_dom.  We will reflect upon the profound significance of Jesus’ encounters with the women of his own day, as well as for ourselves today. Come and meet Jesus again for the first time!

Presenter:  Mary Schneiders, OP
Fee:  $420 www.mariandale.org; 914-941-4455

Directed Retreat
June 29 – July 6, 2008
Mariandale Retreat and Conference Center
Ossining, NY

Directed Retreat
The focus of this directed retreat will be on assisting the retreatant in understanding and interpreting her/his faith-experience and growing in intimacy with God.  Daily Eucharist, scripture, and sessions with one of the directors will provide the setting by which we give God the hospitality of our attention.

Directors:  Ron Henery, OP; Bob Vaughn, OP
Fee:  $420 www.mariandale.org; 914-941-4455

Dominic Reclaiming a Founder
Suzanne Noffke, OP
this is a genreally silent preached retreat centered on the life, character and spirituality of Dominic de Guzman. There will be opportunities for group exchange. Participants will be invited to share in the planning and leading of evening prayers based on Dominic's Nine Ways of Prayer.

$410/person Contact Sr. Rita Lui 262-639-4100 ext 1230
www.racinedominicans.org

The All Embracing Arms of Jesus by Rev. Steven Janoski

A reflection will be facilitated on the all—embracing arms of Jesus as He modeled respect for all humanity.  Reflections will focus on Jesus’ relationships with the poor, women, the outcast, the unwanted and unloved, and the ways saints of the liturgical calendar reflected Christ in their lives.  This will all lead into a deeper reflection of oneself as the reflection of Jesus today.

To register, call Sister Phyllis Schenk, O.P., 217-787-0481, or e-mail, schenkop@spdom.org

Directed Retreats:
Directors:  Bernice Carroll, csj.  Bernice has been a spiritual director and retreat facilitator for over 25 years. Carol Davis, OP.  Carol is a life-long dream explorer with 36 years experience in directing retreats.  She rejoices in the abundance of grace that flows in the process of deepening the spiritual journey. Cost:  $375.00
Contact Dominican Retreat and Conference Center
dslcny@nycap.rr.com
www.dslcny.org
518-393-4169

Finding Joy in the Word of God
The conferences will focus on the stories in the Gospel where Jesus reveals the God who gives us joy despite the difficulties and problems of life. Cost:  $375.00                 
Director:  Aedan McKeon, OP  Aedan is a full-time preacher and spiritual director.  He has a varied background including being co-director of the Retreat Program at St. Stephen’s Priory in Dover, MA.

Dominican Retreat and Conference Center
dslcny@nycap.rr.com
www.dslcny.org
518-393-4169

An Amazing Journey!  The Universe and Me
by Kathleen Cour, OP

Sister Melanie Roetker, O.P., and Sister Sharon Zayac, O.P.

This retreat focuses on our amazing journey from the beginning of creation. Retreatants will experience the story of how everything came to be, what that story means for us, and how we can begin to live out of that knowledge in a way that enhances our own lives, as well as that of planet Earth.

To register, call Sister Phyllis Schenk, O.P., 217-787-0481, or e-mail, schenkop@spdom.org

Tapping Your Inner Well Through the Arts
Spend a week in nature's quiet beauty and artistic expression. Spiritual guidance available in a mostly silent retreat with evening gatherings for sharing.

$430/personContact Sr. Rita Lui 262-639-4100 ext 1230
www.racinedominicans.org

Remain in My Love
by Most Reverend Harry Flynn, D.D.

This retreat focuses on God’s great love for us and how we respond to such immense love.

To register, call Sister Phyllis Schenk, O.P., 217-787-0481, or e-mail, schenkop@spdom.org